LED Tail Lights

[Jorgeman]

I found the following entry on the Early 911S BB and it sounds like a helluva an idea! My '86 tail lites are a bit anemic as are others I've noticed and LED (much brighter but low current draw) bulbs might be a real safety enhancement. Has anyone come up with an adaptation?

"Does anyone know if the LED tail lamps work well for our brake and tail lamps? I'm thinking lower current and brighter lights. Sherwood"

[ccandgc]

I would like that....just need to get the gremlins out of my tail lite system!

ChadC
71 911S Targa

[Doug Zielke]

You can readily buy LED tail-light bulbs with the same socket configuration (1157) as a filament style bulb. I got mine from a m/c shop.

I'm running them in the SC as well as a couple of bikes. They are somewhat brighter, but don't expect them to look like the 100+LED tailight-arrays you find in some new cars.

The main advantage of the socket/LED types is their long life and resistance to vibration.

[RatBoy4]

Are there any places here on the Net that sell these?

[Jim T]

Lots of places - this is not a value judgment, but merely a statement of fact - check the many "Ricer Parts" internet sites, they do a lot of LED lights. Its currently a popular, as they call it, "mod," in that crowd. Do a Yahoo search for Honda + LED (seriously!) and you'll see tons of vendors.

[masraum]

Wow, just yesterday I was thinking of posting this very question. I would like mostly stock appearing led tail light assemblies and front turn signal assemblies. I think that would address several things at once. They are brighter, last longer, pull less current, and weigh less. I don't think you could beat that with a stick.

[RatBoy4]

I think the standard ones will do fine, the LED ones are 10 bucks a pop!

[toman]

yeah, I know I'd sure never spend 10 bucks to upgrade the lights on my world class automobile... \end sarcasm

[Seven-Seven]

George --

You can find LED replacements for the standard 1156 and 1157 (single and dual filiment) bulbs for between $8.00 and $15.00 a piece, depending on the color you want and where you buy them from. (i.e. http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm or http://www.showtimeautotrix.com/11561157led.html ) I too wanted to replace my tired (and slower acting) bulbs with LEDs, so I ordered a complete set for the rear of my '77. The turn signal and running/brake light bulbs arrived and installed w/o difficulty, but that's NOT to suggest there wasn't a problem.

The response time of the bulbs is UNREAL, and I liked the true-off / true-on sharpness of the turn signal as I felt that it was much more eye-catching. HOWEVER....what's NOT great --and anyone who's switched bulbs on their reflector style lamps can tell you-- is that the LEDs shoot light straight ahead, and no part of the light bounces off the reflector in back. The result: you get a bright SPOT of light (tiny round circle) instead of a "box" of light.

As much as I liked the LEDs, I removed them and, instead, placed higher wattage 1156/1157s in there instead. There might be LED bulb replacements that are setup in a sperical (ball like) design, such that the light is beamed all over, but I haven't found such bulbs online. I've heard that certain LED clusters out there use LEDs with a broader beam (for lack of the correct technical term) and collectively the cluster puts out a much wider beam.

My $0.02

(Disclaimer: I have never purchased from the website examples above. They were simply the first two sites listed when I performed a Google search for LED / 1156 1157)

[RatBoy4]

Originally posted by toman
yeah, I know I'd sure never spend 10 bucks to upgrade the lights on my world class automobile... \end sarcasm

Well excuse me, but not all Porsche owners have that kind of money lying around, I'm 16 and it would coust about 40 bucks to upgrade the lights, I don't think it is a very necessary upgrade, that money can go towards another tank of gas.

[911pcars]

"I found the following entry on the Early 911S BB and it sounds like a helluva an idea!..."

Jorgeman, you'll find my answer on the Early 911S Registry BB....

I did some research and discovered that:

1) The current versions use less current (good)
2) They light very quickly
but....
3) LED's, even groups of them, are not brighter than a tungsten bulb, not helped by...
4) LED's are directional, so there is no assistance from the reflectors inside the housing.
5) Because of the directional light, off-axis brightness is not as good.
6) They cost a bunch more.
but then again.....
7) The ones that display a circular lighting pattern will create conversation.

I thought an improvement could be had here, but I'll wait for the next version whatever that is.

Sherwood
Early 911S Registry web

[MIK911]

Good post 7-7. I was contemplating them, but your description of their faults have saved me time/money.

Mahalo
Mike

[Jorgeman]

Great feedback guys! Thanks especially for including the negatives along with the positives. Makes the decision a lot easier.

[kach22i]

1. Does anyone have an update on LED technology?

2. Does anyone have an up date on LED sources?

The reason I am asking is that the brake light socket on my 1977 911 is shot. The bulb stays in but not enough "contact pressure" to light up. I switched out the bulb , it's the socket.

I jambed something along the side of the bulb to keep it in, but it poped out the first bump I hit.

Everyone keeps telling me the tail light is out, guess I better do something about it. If not going with a fancy upgrade will a light socket from the auto store do? I can solder something new in.

I can't seem to find this part on Pelican......................found only the replacement bulbs.

[RickM]

Just a thought:
Most auto parts stores have generic sockets for cheap. I replaced one on my MB not too long ago. Just had to rivet the sucker in there.

[skipdup]

The below is from http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm... I may try these as the "6 radially mounted LEDs aiming out the sides" seem to maybe address the straight ahead beam issue.

*****************************
24 LED 1157 Bulbs

The unique design of our 24 LED bulbs feature 18 LEDs aiming
out the end plus 6 radially mounted LEDs aiming out the sides.
This produces a more complete and even lens fill than
conventional LED bulbs

1157 Available in RED WHITE and AMBER
1156 Available in WHITE
******************************

[RickM]

This the link? http://www.superbrightleds.com/other_bulbs.htm

[Series900]

I disassembled and soldered up a large array for fitment in my LW frp tailight housings, alas the 911 OEM lens has large bubble refractors on the inside, subsequently the led array did not diffuse well. Went back to 1157's for comparison, the incandescent work better. the key to led lights is the interior portion of the lens, the led assemblies have a much finer dimpling on the interior lens surface for finer refracting. Untill someone makes a LED specific lens for the 911, leds are not our answer. IMHO ofcourse!

[thrown_hammer]

These are LED's. They are "R" style. Love them!

[Porsche_monkey]

Shawn: Where are the exterior bits from? (lenses specifically)